William Ralph Hauser

William (Bill) Ralph Hauser gained his eternal reward surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. 

Bill was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 22, 1948 to D. Virginia (Runco) and Edward R. Hauser. Bill spent his entire childhood growing up in Tulsa. The Hauser family attended Osage Hills Christian Church where Bill came to know Jesus at a young age and was baptized. Bill received his formal education in the Tulsa public school system, graduating from Central High School in 1966. 

After graduation Bill spent one year attending Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on a music scholarship. Bill transferred to Ozark Christian College the following year and began studying to become a minister. Bill graduated in 1972 with a Batchelor of Theology Degree. He loved to sing and while he was a student at Ozark he began singing with The Revelation Quartet. He was privileged to travel all over the United States representing the college by singing and preaching at revivals. While Bill was on one of those revivals to Ames, Iowa he met his future wife, Connie Martin. The following year Connie transferred to Ozark and they began dating. They were united in marriage on August 7, 1970. They shared 53 years together. 

Following Bill’s graduation he accepted the call to Central Christian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado to serve along side of K.O. Backstrand. Central Christian Church had a deaf ministry and Bill wanted to be able to “speak” to the deaf so he took classes to learn sign language. His desire was to communicate with them and share the good news about Jesus. It was during their time in Colorado Springs that they were blessed with the birth of twin boys Jason and Jon (1973). 

In 1974 Bill received a call from New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk, Iowa. They were looking for a preacher to fill their pulpit and Bill had a desire to lead a church and spread the gospel. Bill accepted the call and for the next forty years Bill served the Lord faithfully doing whatever it took to win souls to Christ. He worked tirelessly serving as a dean at camp, doing revivals, visiting the sick in the hospital, counseling, preaching, and tending to the NTCC flock. Bill wore many titles: husband, dad, brother, son, friend, preacher, and his proudest title, Christ follower.

The Hauser family grew while they lived in Keokuk and in 1976 a son, James was born and in 1978 a daughter, Jennifer was added to their family.

Bill retired in 2014 from the preaching ministry at New Testament Christian Church but continued to work taking a position at local funeral home. Here he continued to use every opportunity to talk about “his best friend” Jesus. 

In 2017 Bill and Connie moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to be closer to their children. He found a job where he could still be used by the Lord. He became a valet at Community North Cancer Hospital. The position allowed him the opportunity to witness to and pray for people who were battling a horrible disease. God used Bill in a mighty way, every day, by allowing him to offer words of comfort and hope to so many people. Bill dedicated his life to following and serving the Lord.

Bill is survived by his wife, Connie of Indianapolis, Indiana, son Jason (wife Andrea) Hauser and their children Aidan, Lucy, and Amos of Pickerington, Ohio, Jon (wife Andrea) and their children Carston, and Caroline of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, James (wife LeAnn) and their children Caden and Bryson of Louisville, Kentucky, and daughter Jennifer (husband Jarrett) Samuels and their children Jozie, Jayla, and Jedson of Indianapolis, Indiana. Also, a brother-in-law Mike Sturman of Sand Springs, Oklahoma and a sister-in-law Martha Hauser of Owassa, Oklahoma, and many precious nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill will be missed by so many but most of all by his loving family. 

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Edward R. Hauser, mother D. Virginia Hauser, brother, Edward R. Hauser ll, sister, Sylvia R. Hauser, and sister, Mary E. Sturman. 

Visitation services will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Castleton Christian Church, located at 7412 Hague Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 4:00 PM also at Castleton Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ozark Christian College, 1111 North Main St. Joplin, Missouri, 64801 and New Testament Christian Church, 1578 Hilton Rd. Keokuk, Iowa, 52632.